Jazz crush reeling Rockets

12/07/2018 1:09

Derrick Favors recorded a double-double off the bench, and Joe Ingles helped
shoulder the early load on offense as the Utah Jazz continued their strong
play with a 118-91 demolition of the Houston Rockets on Thursday in Salt Lake
City.

Utah (13-13) has won 5 of 7 games to reach .500 for the first time since Nov.
17.

Favors finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds in just 25 minutes while Ingles
totaled 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting.

The Jazz lost starting center Rudy Gobert to an ejection at the 9:13 mark of
the first quarter and received only six points from Donovan Mitchell yet
coasted to victory against the listless Rockets, leading by as many as 37
points.

James Harden paced the Rockets with 15 points but shot 5 of 16 from the floor
and recorded seven turnovers. Chris Paul had five turnovers and five assists
to go along with his 12 points. Clint Capela added 12 points and 10 rebounds
for the Rockets, who are 1-5 over their past six road games.

The Jazz opened the second half with 15-2 blitz that extended its eight-point
halftime lead to 68-47 at the 7:20 mark of the frame. The Rockets, who totaled
nine points in the fourth quarter while blowing a double-digit halftime lead
at Minnesota on Monday, tallied 11 points in the third quarter against the
Jazz.

Gobert was whistled for a foul on the opening tip and an offensive foul
moments later. He reacted to the second infraction with a violent swing at
items stacked on the scorer's table and was ejected. Utah responded by closing
the first quarter with an 11-2 run as the Rockets recorded as many turnovers
(six) in the period as baskets.

The Jazz extended to a 47-32 lead in the second before Harden led a comeback,
scoring eight points during a 13-6 run that closed the half. However, Ingles
and Crowder opened the third with 3-pointers sandwiched around Houston
turnovers before Crowder completed a three-point play.

Paul scored 10 points in the first half to reach 17,000 for his career. He
stands 142 assists shy of joining Jason Kidd, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson,
and John Stockton as the only players in league history to produce 17,000
points, 9,000 assists, and 4,000 rebounds.